Contra-equipoise muscel destabiilzing roller exercise apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A method to exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual utilizes a manually held apparatus which is manipulated to roll a ball in the apparatus to change continuously the balance of the apparatus to destabilize muscles in the body of an individual utilizing the apparatus.

This invention relates to exercise apparatus and methodologies.

A long existing motivation in the fields of athletics and physicalfitness is to develop improved exercise apparatus and methods forutilizing exercise apparatus.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improvedexercise apparatus and method for utilizing the same.

Therefore it is a principal object of the invention to provide animproved exercise apparatus and method for conducting exercise regimes.

These and other, further and more specific objects of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating contra-equipoise muscledestabilizing apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view illustrating the mode of operation of aresilient rebound member mounted in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view still further illustrating the mode ofoperation of the resilient rebound member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view further illustrating the mode ofoperation of the resilient rebound member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of thecontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of aclosure and associated resilient rebound member mounted in one end ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view illustrating the mode of operation ofanother embodiment of contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatusconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view further illustrating the mode of operation of thedestabilizing apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the mode of operation of yetanother embodiment of contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatusconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating the mode of operation of theapparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternateembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view further illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 12after it has been assembled;

FIG. 14 is a side section view illustrating further construction detailsof the assembled embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 13; and,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled embodiment ofFIG. 12.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved methodto exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of anindividual. The method comprises the step of providing acontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus. The apparatus comprisesan elongate housing. The housing includes a first end; a second end; afirst closure at the first end; a second closure at the second end; atleast a first resilient rebound member mounted at one of the first andsecond ends; a traversible hollow space in the housing extending betweenthe first end and the second end; and a ball mounted in the traversiblehollow space. The ball traverses under the force of gravity from one ofthe ends toward the resilient rebound member when the housing is cantedaway from the horizontal; contacts and rebounds from the resilientrebound member; and, alters the center of gravity of thecontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when the ball traversesthe hollow space. The method also includes the steps of grasping thecontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus with at least one hand;holding the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above theground; engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia bymanually tilting the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatussuch that the ball moves from one end toward the resilient reboundmember and contacts and rebounds from the resilient rebound member.

In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method toexercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of anindividual. The method includes the steps of providing acontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus. The apparatus comprisesan elongate hollow housing having a first end; a second end; a firstclosure at the first end; a second closure at the second end; at least afirst resilient rebound member mounted at one of the first and secondends; an inner space in the housing extending between the first end andthe second end; and, a ball mounted in the inner space. The balltraverses the space under the force of gravity from one of the endstoward the other of the ends when the housing is canted away from thehorizontal; compresses the first resilient rebound member, and altersthe center of gravity of the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizingapparatus when the ball traverses the inner space. The method alsoincludes the steps of grasping the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizingapparatus with at least one hand; holding the contra-equipoise muscledestabilizing apparatus above the ground; and, engaging the musclesacting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manually tilting thecontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such that the ball movesfrom one end toward the other of the ends and compresses the firstresilient rebound member.

Turning now to the drawings which are provided by way of example and notlimitation of the invention and in which like reference characters referto corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1illustrates contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructedin accordance with the invention and generally indicated by referencecharacter 10. Apparatus 10 includes a hollow cylindrical housing 16.Housing 16 is preferably, but not necessarily, elongate and includes afirst end and a second end. A first closure 12 is fixedly, preferablyremovably, mounted at the first end of housing 16. A second closure 11is fixedly, preferably removably, mounted at the second end of housing.At least a first resilient rebound member 14 is mounted in housing 16preferably, but not necessarily, on closure 12, i.e. on cylindrical base13 of closure 12. A second resilient rebound member 18 can be mounted inhousing 16 on base 19 of closure 11. Each member 14, 18 has at least twooperative positions, a first expanded “at rest” position in which theshape and dimension of member 14, 18 is relatively stable and fixed;and, a second compressed position in which at least the height of member14, 18 is reduced when the member 14, 18 is contacted by a ball 17 whichmoves through traversible hollow space 15 and strikes the member 14, 18.Space 15 is circumscribed by inner cylindrical wall 15A and has acircular cross sectional area. One or more balls 17 is mounted in space15 and rolls, or slides, along inner cylindrical wall 15A from one endof apparatus 10 to the other end of apparatus 10. When a ball 17 reachesone end of apparatus 10 and strikes the appropriate resilient reboundmember 14, 18, the member 14, 18 is compressed to a second operativeposition. After a member 14, 18 is compressed, the member resilientlyexpands back to its first expanded “at rest” operative position. Thisexpansion generates a force which tends to push ball 17 away from themember 14, 18. This compress—rebound cycle for a member 14, 18 isillustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

In FIG. 2, a ball 17 traveling along inner cylindrical wall 15A andthrough space 15 is moving in the direction of arrow A toward reboundmember 18. In FIG. 2, member 18 is in its first expanded “at rest”position. In FIG. 3, ball 71 has contacted and compressed member 18. InFIG. 4, member 18 has resiliently expanded from its second operativeposition back to its first expanded “at rest” operative position and hasgenerated sufficient force to displace ball 17 away from member 18 inthe direction of arrow B. The magnitude of the force (acting in thedirection of arrow B in FIG. 4) that is generated in the direction ofarrow B after ball 17 strikes member 18 depends on the weight of ball17, on the degree to which member 18 compresses and contracts, and onthe speed at which ball 17 contacts member 18. It may be possible toonly slightly cant, or tilt, apparatus 10 from the horizontal so thatball slowly rolls to, strikes, and comes to rest against member 18without rebounding from member 18 because the speed of the ball is notenough to sufficiently compress member 18 so that member 18 generates arebound force sufficient to move ball 17 away from member 18. In orderfor a ball 17 to be moved apart from member 18 in the direction of arrowB, the force generated by member 18 when it moves from the second backto the first operative position must be sufficient to overcome the forceof gravity acting on ball 17.

A rebound member 14, 18 can be constructed from any desired compressibleresilient material, including a polymer, a conventional metal helicalspring, etc.

The ball(s) 17 utilized in apparatus 10 can also be constructed out ofany desired material(s), can be solid, can be hollow, etc. as long asthe ball 17 will perform the function of rolling or sliding along innerwall 15A. Stainless steel balls are presently preferred. It is alsopreferred, although not necessary, that a plurality of balls 17 each ofdiffering weight and/or diameter be provided, and that apparatus 10 bedesigned so that a ball(s) 17 can be removed from apparatus 10 and adifferent ball (or different number of balls) 17 inserted. In oneembodiment of the apparatus, one end of the inner wall 15A is internallythreaded and a closure 11A (FIG. 7) is provided which includes anexternally threaded portion 23 that turns into the internally threadedportion of inner wall 15A. This permits closure 11A to be readilyinserted in and removed from apparatus 10.

The shape and dimension of apparatus 10, including housing 16, ball 17,and other components of the apparatus 10, can vary as desired, as canthe material used to construct each component. An elongate generallyhousing 16 with a cylindrical aperture formed therein and circumscribinga traversible hollow space 15 is presently preferred. In one embodimentof the invention, ball 17 is replaced by a cube or other shaped objectwhich will slide or roll along inner wall 15A.

The length, indicated by arrows L, and width, indicated by arrows W, ofcontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus 10 can vary as desired.In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 andidentified by reference character 10A, the length, L, is 122.9 cm andthe width, W, is 60 cm. In another embodiment of the invention,illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the length, L, and width, W, ofapparatus are equivalent to that found in the handles 35, 38 ofconventional dumbbells (FIGS. 10, 11). The construction and functioningof apparatus 10A is comparable to that of apparatus 10, except thatapparatus 10A is larger.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, apparatus 10 is sized to generally have the length anddiameter of the handle 35, 38 on a dumbbell 28, 29 (FIG. 11). Further,apparatus 10 is provided with a handle 20 which includes a grip 21 and apair of parallel, spaced apart arms interconnecting grip 20 andapparatus 10.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, apparatus 10A is, as noted, significantly larger thanthe apparatus 10, but still has the same general constructionillustrated in FIG. 1; provided, however, a pair of parallel spacedapart handles 24 and 25 are attached to apparatus 10A so that anindividual can hold the apparatus in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8and 9.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, apparatus 10 is equivalent to the size of apparatus10 in FIGS. 5 and 6, and handle 35 consists of one apparatus 10 whilehandle 38 consists of another apparatus 10. Accordingly, as earliernoted above, apparatus 10 is incorporated into a pair of dumbbells.Weights 37, 39 are mounted on the ends of apparatus 10 in one dumbbell28 while weights 34 and 36 are mounted on the ends of apparatus 10 inanother dumbbell 29.

In use, canting or tilting exercise apparatus 10, 10A constructed inaccordance with the invention causes a ball(s) 17 mounted within theapparatus to rol or slidel along inner surface 15A (FIG. 1). The centerof gravity of apparatus 10 continuously changes when ball 17 rolls alonginner surface 15A between closures 11 and 12. Further, when apparatus10, 10A is held in a horizontal orientation in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 5, 8 to 11 (in FIGS. 10 and 11 apparatus 10 comprises handles 35,38) apparatus 10 is in equipoise only when it is parallel to the groundand ball 17 is centered in housing 16 equidistant from closures 11 and12. Accordingly apparatus 10, 10A is, practically speaking,contra-equipoise. This is because apparatus 10, 10A rarely, if ever, isin a perfectly horizontal orientation and because ball 17 is rarely, ifever, centered between closures 11 and 12. Ball 17 readily rolls alonginner surface 15A, and the centering of ball 17 between closures 11 and12 is difficult to achieve. As ball 17 moves along inner surface 15A,the center of gravity of apparatus 10, 10A continuously changes and thebalance of apparatus is continuously altered, or destabilized. Thecontinuous destabilization of apparatus 10 as ball 17 moves along innersurface 15A requires an individual's muscles—in order to maintaincontrol of apparatus 10, 10A—to continuously react to counteract andcounterbalance the contra-equipoise apparatus 10, 10A.

As used herein, the core refers to muscles which act on thethoracolumbar fascia, which is a large “hoop” of connective tissue theencircles and stabilizes the mid-section. Core muscles generallycomprise two groups. The first group consists of deep inner muscles thatfunction to provide stability, posture, and balance. The deep musclesare composed largely of slow twitch fibers. The second group consists ofouter superficial muscles which are mainly composed of fast twitchfibers.

The slow twitch fibers of deep muscles are shorter and better suited tomaintain posture, stability, and heavy loads. This permits the deepmuscles to stabilize the spine, maintain balance, and support posture.

The fast twitch fibers of the superficial muscles are longer and bettersuited to generate large amounts of torque and full body movements.

Superficial muscles primarily provide primary mobility for the body.Deep muscles primarily provide consistent stability and control.

Core muscles typically include the abs, obliques, and muscles of theback.

Apparatus 10, 10A constructed in accordance with the invention can beutilized in a variety of applications including proprioception training,core strengthening, rehabilitation, post rehabilitation, circuittraining, weight loss, balance training, stability training, crosstraining, power training, specific sports training, stress management,function training, reactive training, therapy, vibration training, andplay.

One use of contra-equipoise apparatus 10A is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and9. An individual manually grasps handles 24 and 25 of apparatus 10A,stands in fixed position, and maintains apparatus 10 in a generallyhorizontal orientation while oscillating the apparatus back and forth inthe directions indicated by arrows G and H. Such oscillation of theapparatus causes ball 17 to roll along inner surface 15A such that thecenter of gravity and balance of apparatus 10A changes continuously.This brings into play the muscles of individual 30, in particular thecore muscles, in order to counteract and counterbalance changes in theweight distribution of apparatus 10A and maintain apparatus 10A in agenerally horizontal orientation.

In another use of apparatus 10A, an individual manually grasps apparatus10A in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and then oscillates orrocks apparatus 10A by (1) first tilting the first end down in thedirection of arrow K and raising the first end back up to returnapparatus 10A to a horizontal orientation, (2) then tilting the secondend down in the direction of arrow J and raising the second end back upto return apparatus 10A to a horizontal orientation, (3) then againtiling the first end down in the direction of arrow K and raising thefirst end back up to return apparatus 10A to a horizontal orientation,and so on. Such tilting causes ball 17 to roll, and/or slide, back andforth along inner surface 15A, which continuously changes the center ofgravity, and balance, of apparatus 10. This brings into play the musclesof individual 30, in particular the core muscles, in order to counteractand counterbalance changes in the weight distribution of apparatus 10Aand maintain control of apparatus 10A.

Handles 35 and 38 in FIG. 11 each comprise, as noted, an apparatus 10.Manually grasping handles 35 and 38 and manipulating dumbbells 28 and 29in any manner which causes a ball 17 in the handles to move along innersurface 15A changes the center of gravity, and consequently the balance,of handles 35 and 38 and of dumbbells 28 and 29. When the balance ofdumbbells 28 and 29 changes, the individual's muscles are continuouslydestabilized and must adjust to compensate for such change in order toindividual 30 to maintain control of dumbbells 28 and 29, i.e., as thebalance of dumbbells 28 and 29 changes, the counteracting forces whichmust be generated by a muscle group, or single muscle, that is engagedin holding dumbbell 28 and/or 29 change. A further effect of suchmuscular destabilization produced by apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 is thatthe portions of a muscle or muscle group that are engaged inmanipulating an apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 can, during manipulation ofthe apparatus, change. Another effect of such muscular destabilizationproduced by apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 is that the amount ofcounteracting or controlling force generated by a muscle or muscle groupengaged in manipulating an apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 can, duringmanipulation of the apparatus, change.

As used herein, an individual 30 maintains control of an apparatus 10 aslong as at least some of his muscles are being used to move apparatusalong a desired path simultaneously with the position of a ball(s) 17 inapparatus changing, i.e., simultaneously with a ball 17 rolling orotherwise moving in apparatus 10. For example, the individual 30 in FIG.8 maintains control because he utilizes his muscles to maintainapparatus 10A in a generally horizontal orientation and because heutilizes his muscles to oscillate apparatus 10A back and forth along adesired path in the directions of arrows G and H. The individual in FIG.10 maintains control when he holds dumbbells 28 and 29 in the generalhorizontal orientation shown while rocking or tilting dumbbells 28 and29 along a desired path to cause balls 17 to roll along handles 38 and35.

The oscillating exercises, or any other desired exercises, describedabove with respect to FIGS. 8 to 11 can also, as part of proprioceptiontraining, be performed when individual has his or her eyes closed and isstanding in one spot or is walking.

In what may at first blush seem like a contradiction, thecontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus 10, 10A of the inventionfunctions to destabilize muscles in order to improve the ability of themuscles to perform their intended functions when the apparatus 10, 10Ais not being utilized.

One advantage of the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus 10,10A of the invention is that it more accurately replicates what the bodyof an individual 30 does during a sport or physical activity because theapparatus 10, 10A engages simultaneously multiple muscle groups tocounterbalance apparatus 10, 10A while apparatus 10, 10A is manipulatedto move ball 17 in apparatus 10, 10A.

FIGS. 12 to 16 illustrate exercise apparatus constructed in accordancewith an alternate embodiment of the invention generally indicated byreference character 10B. In the exploded perspective view of FIG. 12,apparatus 10B includes end caps 40 and 47, springs 41 and 46, hollowcylindrical housing 44 with internally threaded ends shaped anddimensioned to rotatably receive the externally threaded ends of caps 40and 47, spring end caps 42 and 45, ball 43, connector 48, connector 49,rod 50, grip 51, rod 52, grip 53, rod 54, and grip 55. FIGS. 13, 15, 16illustrate the apparatus 10B assembled.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the assembled apparatus 10B of FIG. 3. Inoperation of apparatus 10B, ball 43 is generally continually positionedbetween and in contact with spring end caps 42 and 45. This is incontrast to the apparatus 10 and 10A. In apparatus 10 and 10A, the ball17 rolls back and forth between rebound members 14 18; when ball 17 isin contact with one rebound member 14 it is out of contact with theother rebound member 18.

When, during operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 12 to 16, one spring 41is compressed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 14, the other spring 46is extended such that the end cap 45 associated with spring 46 remainsin contact with ball 43. Even though ball 43 moves back and forth alongthe interior of hollow housing 44, ball 43 is constantly capturedbetween and in simultaneous contact with caps 42 and 45. Regardless ofthe position of ball(s) 43 in housing 44, springs 41 and 46 preferablyare continuously tensioned and continuously press caps 42 and 45 againstball 43. Tilting apparatus 10B from the horizontal increases the forceacting on one of springs 41 and 46 and tends to compress such springwhile permitting the other opposing spring to expand. In FIG. 14,apparatus 10B has been tilted from a horizontal orientation to thevertical orientation depicted in FIG. 14 and, as a result, spring 41 iscompressed and spring 48 has expanded.

As noted, the shape and dimension of apparatus 10, 10A, 10B can bevaried as desired. In one alternate embodiment of the invention, thelength of apparatus 10 approximates that of a conventional barbell suchthat “cookies” or flat, cylindrically shaped weights can be mounted onthe ends of apparatus 10 and apparatus 10 placed on an individual'sshoulder and used to perform squats. Or, such a “barbell” embodiment ofthe invention can be utilized to performed a clean and press or otherexercises conducted with a barbell. In a further embodiment of theinvention, the length of apparatus 10 approximates that of aconventional barbell; however, weights or “cookies” are not mounted oneither end of such a “barbell” apparatus 10, and apparatus 10 isutilized without such weights. The length of a “barbell” apparatus canbe varied as desired. Similarly, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the dumbbells 28and 29 can be utilized without mounting weights 37, 39, 34, 36 on theends of handles 35, 38.

In use of the apparatus 10, apparatus 10 can, as earlier described, betilted to permit ball 17 to roll from end to the other end. In anotherembodiment of the invention, apparatus is maintained in a generallyhorizontal orientation while apparatus 10 is moved back and forth inalternating opposing directions in the manner indicated in FIG. 5 byarrows E and F in FIG. 5.

The dumbbell apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11 can be utilized to perform anyconventional dumbbell exercise or to perform any other desired exercise.Similarly, the “barbell” apparatus described above can be utilized toperform any conventional dumbbell exercise or to perform any otherdesired exercise.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, various structuresand embodiments of the invention set forth herein can be readilycombined to form alternate embodiments of the invention. For example,the ball 43—spring 41, 46 arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 12, 14 can beutilized the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 in place of the ball17—rebound member 14, 18 arrangement earlier described. Further, anycombination set forth in an originally filed independent claim ordependent claim can, at a minimum, considered to be a separateinvention. The fact that portions of the independent claim or dependentclaim (in combination with its associated independent or dependentclaims) may be shown in separate drawings does not alter the fact thatsuch originally filed independent claim or dependent claim (incombination with its associated independent or dependent claims) can beconsidered to be a separate invention. For example, one drawing may showan animal toy with a squeaker. A separate drawing may show an animal toywith a rope used to throw a toy. There is no drawing showing an animaltoy with both a squeaker and a rope. If an originally filed independentclaim (or independent claim setting forth the squeaker and associateddependent claim setting forth the rope) sets forth the combination of ananimal toy with a squeaker and a rope such combination is considered aseparate invention even though there is not a separate drawing showingthe combination of an animal toy with a rope and a squeaker, or eventhough there is not a separate description in the specification of suchcombination. Originally filed independent and dependent claims comprisepart of the original disclosure in the application. Further, if adrawing or the disclosure specifically shows or describes thecombination of a rope and a squeaker and an originally filed claim onlysets forth a rope and not the squeaker, then amending the claim duringprosecution of the application to include a squeaker simply narrows thespecies of the invention set forth in the claim and does not produce anew species.

Having described the invention and presently preferred embodiments andthe best modes thereof in such terms as to enable one of skill in theart to make and use the invention, I claim:
 1. A method to exercise themuscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual, comprisingthe steps of (a) providing a contra-equipoise muscle destabilizingapparatus comprising (i) an elongate housing having a first end, asecond end, a first closure at said first end, a second closure at saidsecond end, at least a first resilient rebound member mounted at one ofsaid first and second ends, a traversible hollow space in said housingextending between said first end and said second end, a ball mounted insaid traversible hollow space to traverse under the force of gravityfrom one of said ends toward said resilient rebound member when saidhousing is canted away from the horizontal, contact and rebound fromsaid resilient rebound member, and alter the center of gravity of saidcontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when said ball traversessaid hollow space; (b) grasping said contra-equipoise muscledestabilizing apparatus with at least one hand; (c) holding saidcontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above the ground; (d)engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manuallytilting said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such thatsaid ball moves from one end toward said resilient rebound member andcontacts and rebounds from said resilient rebound member.
 2. A method toexercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of anindividual, comprising the steps of (a) providing a contra-equipoisemuscle destabilizing apparatus comprising (i) an elongate hollow housinghaving a first end, a second end, a first closure at said first end, asecond closure at said second end, at least a first resilient reboundmember mounted at one of said first and second ends, an inner space insaid housing extending between said first end and said second end, aball mounted in said inner space to traverse said space under the forceof gravity from one of said ends toward the other of said ends when saidhousing is canted away from the horizontal, compress said firstresilient rebound member, and alter the center of gravity of saidcontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when said ball traversessaid inner space; (b) grasping said contra-equipoise muscledestabilizing apparatus with at least one hand; (c) holding saidcontra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above the ground; (d)engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manuallytilting said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such thatsaid ball moves from one end toward the other of said ends andcompresses said first resilient rebound member.